Commission acts against imports of pea protein from China
The definitive anti-dumping duties imposed range from 40.5% to 67.1% and will be in place for five years. Provisional duties had been in force since 29 April 2026. The imposition of the definitive duties follows an investigation which found that imports of pea protein from China were entering the EU at dumped prices. This is causing injury to the EU’s own industry. The EU market for pea protein is worth some €175m.
Trade & market accessEU industry & firmsMixedMaterialRepeatable instrument
The mechanism
The Commission locks in 40.5%-67.1% anti-dumping duties on Chinese pea protein for five years. Chinese suppliers face an immediate price penalty in a €175m EU market, likely reducing their sales where buyers cannot absorb the increase. EU pea-protein producers gain price protection, while EU food, pet-food and specialised-feed makers face higher costs or supplier-switching work. The net effect depends on whether non-Chinese and EU capacity can replace affected volumes at comparable quality and price.
The stakes
This tests whether trade defence can create investable room for European alternative-protein processing rather than merely reallocate sourcing costs downstream. It matters far less if Chinese product remains competitive after duty or readily available substitute supply caps price increases.
How it reaches Europe
- Definitive duties take effectThe Commission imposed 40.5%-67.1% duties for five years.
- Chinese import prices riseImporters must absorb the duty or pass it through to buyers.
- Buyers reconsider sourcingHigher landed costs weaken Chinese suppliers' price advantage.
- EU processors and feed makers adjustTheir pea-protein input costs or supplier options change.